Salon and Open Studio

Many thanks to everyone who came to my open studio last Sunday and the salon that followed. It was amazing! I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such creative people.

Day 9 of commission

Almost done... I hope to do the final tweeks the next two days and have it up at my open studio on June 7. Come by and see it on Sunday between 11:00 and 6:00.

Day 5 of the commission

The Oakland City Church commission is taking shape. It's 5'x9'. I have to sit on a low stool to do the figures--and then go upstairs and stretch afterwards! My favorite part is the girl on her father's shoulders in the middle

Day 1 of Oakland City Church commission

Here's the start of the chapel painting for Oakland City Church. The base coat was pink, and then I started fleshing out the basic composition. I love working big. Dana gave me a great gospel CD that gets me moving.

Chapel Commission

I'm working on a very fun commission, a 5'x9' canvas for the chapel of Oakland City Church. The congregation is very vibrant, a bright light in the Upper Fruitvale. I'm excited to do something on this scale with all races coming together and breaking bread.

Lighter Than Air #9

Lighter than Air #9
36"x36"
I was on TV! A news crew came to the Sou'wester when I was doing a residency there, and they included a 5 second clip of me. Check it out at http://goo.gl/9FFz47. It brings back the whole wonderful experience to me, complete with raindrops on my sketchpad. I can't wait to go back.

Little Trailer

Little Trailer
22"x22"

Another painting that was inspired by our time at the Sou'wester up in Washington...
I'll be having and open studio on June 7 from 11:00 to 6:00 and my home at 655 63rd St., Oakland. Please come by. You are welcome to stay for dinner at 6:00 with a salon to follow.  People are welcome to bring music or writings or something else they've created to share. The last time we did this, a couple performed a wonderful tango in my dinning room! It was their first real date, and it resulted in their wedding a year later. You never know what might happen at these things.

Woman on Chairs

Woman on Chairs

I'm so happy this painting found a home! Thank you, Christine and Buckner.

the Sou'wester

 

We just returned from a working trip to the Sou'wetser Lodge in Seaview, Washington. We originally stayed here 31 years ago on our honeymoon and were delighted to see that it is still a quirky, artsy sanctuary. Many thanks to Thandi Rosenbaum for continuing the spirit of the place.

I was inspired by the way the beach sand there is packed so hard that it becomes mirror-like, resulting in a continuing series of paintings. I also did a several paintings of the buildings and trailers. 5 days was too short! I want to go back!
The Sou'wester has a great artist residency program. Check it out at http://www.souwesterlodge.com/

Reflection

RiverSea Gallery

 

I have been warmly welcomed into a new gallery, the RiverSea, in Astoria, Oregon. Many thanks to Jeannine Grafton for taking the time to see what my paintings are about and hosting them in her wonderful space. If you are on the north coast, please stop by. They're at 1160 Commercial St, and the paintings can also be seen ay RiverSeaGallery.com.

Storyteller with Guitar

Night Dance

Night Dance
This painting just found a home. The man who bought it called me after he hung it. "It feels like it was painted for this place and for my family." I love it when that happens. My hope is that every painting I make has a perfect fit--or else it gets painted over...

In Circles

In Circles
22"x22"
David Foster Wallace's 2005 commencement speech is worth listening to--https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYGaXzJGVAQ--being aware in the midst of the monotony.

Taking Flight

Taking Flight
22"x16"
Another painting that I did as a visual prayer...

Bedtime Story

Bedtime Story

I have a new venue for my work! The Frame Company in Dublin isn't the flashiest venue, but the owner, Sawsan Wolski, has a big heart and great taste. She has 7 new altered book paintings of mine. Her contact info is (925)829-4777 and 7038 Village Pkwy, Dublin, Ca.

Rest

Rest
When I was little, up at my great-uncle's cabin, a friend got lost during a hide and seek game. Boy scouts at a camp up the mountain were called out to search into the evening. I remember my mother getting the news that she had been found.

Embrace, Purple Clouds

Embrace, Purple Clouds

I could paint this every day.

Halfway In

Halfway In
The challenge of relationships, one in, one out, one brave, one smart, both together but different, both pulling and challenging each other.

Deep Sleep

Deep Sleep

So much below the surface...

Tree Pose

Tree Pose
I always wobble when I do this yoga pose, but I love the open-armed feeling.

Big Black Bicycle

Big Black Bicycle
My favorite bicycle was a heavy Flying Pigeon that I used when I lived in China. I was much taller than the girl in this painting, but I sure felt small and vulnerable then, pedaling around Zhengzhou. It was a really turbulent year there. I'm not sure if that's what this painting is about, but the clouds in this painting feel like strong emotions to me.

Rowing

Rowing

You might think you know me, but there's so much under the surface. I don't have time to explore it all; I have to keep rowing.

Boy in Tree

Boy in Tree

I visited family in Denver last week. On Sunday morning we worked in the garden while 6 year old Charlie climbed 30 feet up a pine tree. "I can see snow on the trees on the mountains!"

Trapeze, Pink Sky

Trapeze, Pink Sky

I want to be like her.

Two Reading in Boat

Two Reading in Boat
54"x32"
Many thanks to Kathy and Natalie for posing for this one.

Suitcase, Four Hands

Suitcase Four Hands
12"x12"
Tis the season of art auctions. This painting will be up for bidding at ArtSpan in San Francisco on March 28. For more information, go to http://www.artspan.org/events/28/03/2015/artspan-art-auction. 

Get Out the Art Group

One Saturday morning a month I meet with four artists who I really admire--Susan, Dana, Mary, and Leah--and we strategize about our careers. We each have the floor for about 15 minutes in which we share our successes, failures, and goals. I am so grateful for their input, humor and support.

Four Figures at Twilight

Four Figures at Twilight
40"x40"
I am grateful for winter trees, Pearly twilit skies and my friends.

Yes, and

Yes, and
10"x10"
The golden rule of improvisational theater is "Yes, and..." If someone says, "It' sure is hot here," another actor can respond, "Yes, and where are we going in this handbasket?" A wonderful rule for life; say yes as much as possible, and...

No Worries

No Worries
24"x24"
Okay, this is what I want to know: how do I live expansively when I'm struggling with constraints. How do I let go of anxiety and embrace gratitude?  I guess for me part of the solution is in painting something like this.

Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Cake
10"x10"
A tribute to Neldam's Bakery! I meant to paint some profound phrase on the top, but it was just too perfect as it was.

Leap, Winter Sky

Leap, Winter Sky
30"x20"
I was in Sacramento last month during a most beautiful twilight. It brought back to me all sorts of memories of walking home from school or hiking along the American River. A wonderful place to be launched from.

Beach Twilight

Beach Twilight
36"x48"

My favorite beach these days is Rodeo. We can get there and back after an early dinner, driving over the San Rafael bridge and through a one lane tunnel. In 45 minutes from home, I'm away from everything, the phone, the computer, the to-do lists. When I look at this painting, I don't even need to get in my car; I'm instantly there.

Three on Porch

Three on Porch
20"x16"

Your kids leave home, and they come back, and they leave home, and they come back. And even though they are much taller and faster and sharper than you now, they still have a grain or seed of that child who lived with you long ago.

painting group

On Thursday evenings I host a painting group in my home. People arrive at 7:00 and work until 9:30.  They are at all levels, but everyone has a playfulness to their work. I feel so energized by their creativity, and they treat me like a queen. If you would like to join us, send me an e-mail.

Welcome with Stairs

Welcome with Stairs
36"x36"
The Boonville Hotel has a beautiful stairway by its front door, which was the initial inspiration for this painting. But what then? I painted a party in the next room, kids running down the stairs, various women coming in the front door, but settled for something quieter. Thank you, Johnny, for letting me come and be inspired at your inn.

Dance Party #2

Dance Party #2, triptych
12"x42"
I used to wonder when Chagal would have dates on his paintings that would span multiple years. Maybe he kept pulling old paintings out of the racks to push them farther. I love doing that. Sometimes I end up completely repainting them, which makes my family angry. On this painting the older version is on the bottom, the newer one on top.

Mountain Path

Mountain Path
16"x20"
I went to Yosemite a couple weeks ago. I was flooded with memories of a trip there in college with friends. They taught me I'm never alone. 

Quite Safe, Quite

Quite Safe, Quite
20"x16"
A very personal painting, done to remind myself that I am safe and loved. A valentine.

Dancers, Red Room

Dancers, Red Room

One night after a potluck dinner, we pushed the table to the side of the room, and everyone danced. I scooted around and shot photos, one of which became this painting.

Come a Long Way

Come a Long Way

This painting went through several evolutions--a little house at night to a broken down car on the side of the road to me being carried safely. At each stage I am totally present on the journey, coming to a place of hope.
One of my first painting teachers told his class, "If you're going into painting as therapy, forget it!" I think he was wrong.

Arms Akimbo

Arms Akimbo
19"x11"

I have a new gallery! If you are in the Elmwood district of Berkeley, please drop by The Collector at 2950 College Ave. My paintings will be there until March 2, and we're having an opening on Feb 13 from 6:00 to 8:00. If you'd like to meet up for an early dinner beforehand down the street at Shen Hua, let me know. I'd love to see you.

Hard Shoes to Fill

Hard Shoes to Fill

 

 

 

 

My dad had a ritual of always polishing his shoes on Saturday mornings. I remember him teaching my older brother how to use the buffer and rags.
A few weeks ago, my brothers and I packed up Dad's bedroom. In the back of his closet was a pair of reddish brown wingtips, worn at the heel. I brought them home and did this painting of them. He is here, but he's not. So intimate and personal. An emptiness remains.
Dad died on Thanksgiving Day. After leaving the hospital, my brothers and family came here for dinner. I invited my older brother to sit in Dad's place at the head of the table, but he just covered his face with his hands and refused.

Solace

Solace
18"x15"

Maybe 10 years ago, I was approached by a thin, tight-lipped man at an open studio. Russell left me his card, and I visited his shop in Hayes Valley, San Francisco. Zonal was crowded with suede sofas and funky furniture rescued from midwest homes, and on one wall he had an impressive collection of Canadian mountie figures that he refused to sell.
It was the start of an amazing partnership. Over the years, I would pull up and double park with a carload of panels, which always seemed to attract every meter maid in the City. If I could find parking and linger a bit after unloading, Russell always wanted to know about my kids, and he'd give me updates on his "mini-me" nephew up in Canada. When my son moved to Boston, Russell gave him a warm wool coat from his own closet.
Many times when Russell would hand me a check for a sale, it would be just enough to cover some big bill that was looming. And if one of Russell's collectors came and bought from me directly, I'd write Russell a check, and more often than not he'd say, "This will help with the rent." There almost seemed a kind of holiness about the transactions.
Last Valentines Day, Russell asked me to do a solo show of all types of couples. It was a stretch for me, but I was pretty happy with the results, and the sales were amazing. Just in time, too--I spent Feb 14, 2014, in the hospital, and my bill was neatly covered by the Zonal show.
Zonal closed its doors last week. I double parked one last time on Hayes Street and loaded 30 paintings into the back, gave Russell a hug on the curb, and pulled back onto the Bay Bridge. Russell, you are one of a kind. You will be very missed.
To read more, go to http://hoodline.com/2015/01/after-24-years-zonal-will-close-its-doors-this-month

Vantage Point #2

Vantage Point #2
36"x46"
I am in a show called "Serenity" at the UCSF Women's Health Center at 2356 Sutter St., San Francisco. My work is on the 5th floor. It is up until April 14, and we're having an opening next Wednesday, Feb 4 from 5:30 to 7:30. I hope you can come!

Safe Arms

Safe Arms
12"x8"
I just want to be in a safe place, wrapped in confident arms. If I paint it, maybe I can remember.